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Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailA leading lawyer who sits in the Lords has warned that Rishi Sunak’s Rwanda bill is “a step toward totalitarianism”.Lord Carlile, the former independent reviewer of terrorism legislation, said ministers were seeking to elevate themselves “to an unacceptable level above the law”.The crossbench peer, a leading critic of the Rwanda deportation plan in the House of Lords, also warned the “integrity of our legal system is under attack because of internal political quarrelling in the Conservative Party”.His intervention came the morning after Mr Sunak faced down rebels within his own party to win a showdown Commons vote on the plan to deport asylum seekers to the east African country.Lord Carlile warned that ‘the integrity of our legal system are under attack’ MPs passed the embattled PM’s controversial bill by 320 votes to 276 – with 11 Tories voting against the government.But Mr Sunak still faces a lengthy battle to get the bill into law, as the House of Lords is likely to push for significant changes or to throw the bill out altogether.Policing minister Chris Philp said the bill would be able to pass through the upper chamber “fairly fast” as it is “pretty short”.He told Times Radio: “It is a pretty short Bill, it is only about five or six substantive clauses. To give you a sense of context, the Criminal Justice Bill that I am taking through Parliament… has about 80 clauses.“So it is a pretty short bill which means it should be able to get through the House of Lords fairly fast.”But Lord Carlile told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme it is the upper chamber’s role to revise legislation and protect the public from abuses of the law by ministers.He added: “I think many of us in the House of Lords believe that is exactly what has happened, that good policymaking and the integrity of our legal system are under attack because of internal political quarrelling in the Conservative Party.He said lawyers are being unfairly blamed for the hurdles the Rwanda policy has faced, adding that “lawyers on the whole do not accept that”.“What we are doing is trying to countermand meddling by politicians in the law,” he added.And Lord Carlile said: “It’s been the government elevating itself to an unacceptable level above the law, above our much-admired Supreme Court, and above the reputation internationally of the United Kingdom law.“We’ve seen in various countries the damage that is done when governments use perceived and often ill-judged political imperatives to place themselves above the courts – this is a step towards totalitarianism and an attitude that the United Kingdom usually deprecates.“I think you’ll find that many of us in the House of Lords will say this is a step too far, this is illegitimate interference by politics with the law, on an issue that can be solved in other ways.” More

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailSir Jacob Rees-Mogg has said he would rather see Donald Trump win the upcoming US election than Joe Biden, claiming the current President “dislikes Britain”.The former business secretary said President Biden’s tenure has been “very unfortunate” for UK-US relations.And he said Mr Trump is “better disposed” towards the United Kingdom.Jacob Rees-Mogg said Mr Trump is ‘better disposed’ towards the United Kingdom His comments came after the ex-President overwhelmingly won the Iowa caucuses on Monday evening in the first official contest of the Republican presidential primaries.Sir Jacob told ITV: “I would rather have Donald Trump than President Biden.“I think Donald Trump is better disposed towards the United Kingdom, I think President Biden has shown his dislike for the United Kingdom throughout his presidency and that’s been very unfortunate and unhelpful to whatever you make of the special relationship.”Asked for his view on what would happen if, as some fear in the US, Mr Trump stopped backing Ukraine in its war against Russia, he said that would be “a terrible thing”.“We cannot let the tyrant Putin win, and I would hope that any American president would support those efforts,” Sir Jacob said.He added: “I would be very surprised if he did that. But Donald Trump often says things in a way that excites people and then he’s much more pragmatic when he’s in government.“Certainly that was true with all that he said about Nato when he was president last time around.”The former US President had dangled the prospect of striking a “very big trade deal” with Britain while in office, hopes of which have been dashed under Mr Biden.But defence chiefs have warned of the prospect of Mr Trump withdrawing his backing for Ukraine, which could lead to instability in Europe.A former Nato secretary general has said he was “sceptical” about the US continuing to provide military aid for Ukraine if Donald Trump was re-elected as president.Anders Fogh Rasmussen told PBS Newshour on Wednesday that it was detrimental for America’s national security interests for Russia to win the war against Ukraine. “We cannot allow (Vladimir) Putin any success in Ukraine.”He was asked about US aid for Ukraine that has been held up by Congress, as Republicans seek to force the Democrats into passing tougher immigration controls.If a new aid package cannot be passed under president Joe Biden’s government before the US goes to the polls in November, Mr Rasmussen said he was “sceptical” of the chances one would be agreed under a potential Trump administration. More

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailWatch as Rishi Sunak held a press conference on Thursday, 18 January, after seeing off the prospect of a defeat on his Rwanda asylum policy at the hands of right-wing Conservative MPs.The prime minister’s speech came after the Safety of Rwanda Bill passed its third reading in the Commons yesterday unamended with a majority of 44.Only 11 Tories, including former home secretary Suella Braverman, voted against Mr Sunak’s flagship immigration legislation.Prior to the third reading vote, Mr Sunak was hit by another revolt — following similar-sized rebellions on Tuesday — as 61 Tory MPs backed an amendment, proposed by former immigration minister Robert Jenrick, designed to toughen the bill.However, rebels signalled before the third reading vote that they were prepared to back the bill without any changes after an 11th-hour meeting in parliament on Wednesday.They conceded that a defeat for the government would be damaging ahead of a general election that is only months away. More

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailThe head of Britain’s trade unions has slammed the country’s “broken” sick pay system, as new figures show women are more than twice as likely as men to miss out on statutory payments.Across the UK, 1.3 million people do not meet the £123 a week earning threshold to qualify for statutory sick pay, and 7 in 10 of these are women.Figures compiled by the Trades Union Congress (TUC), which represents Britain’s biggest unions, show that 6.5 per cent of women do not earn enough to qualify for statutory sick pay, compared to just 2.8 per cent of men.And the figures, seen by The Independent, show that Black and minority ethnic (BME) women are the most likely to miss out on statutory sick pay, with 7 per cent ineligible, compared with just 2.7 per cent of white men.Women are less likely to qualify for the payments as they are more likely to work in lower-paid jobs.TUC general secretary Paul Nowak told The Independent it is a “national scandal” that so many people, most of them women, are “forced to go without financial support when sick”.Paul Nowak said the low level of statutory sick pay is a ‘national scandal’ that primarily hits women While campaigner Amanda Walters, director of Safe Sick Pay, said: “Women already suffer disproportionately from low pay.“To add insult to injury these new figures show that many working women are also losing out when they need time off ill.”Mr Nowak also said the UK’s statutory sick pay system – under which workers are entitled to £109.40 per week for 28 weeks from their employer if they cannot work – is “broken”.The TUC’s intervention comes after former Tory health secretary Matt Hancock told the Covid inquiry statutory sick pay was “far, far too low” and “far lower than the European average”.Mr Hancock added that low sick pay “encourages people to go to work when they should be getting better” and aids the spread of illnesses.The TUC called the £109.40 figure “paltry” and not enough to live on – noting it is just 18 per cent of the average weekly wage in Britain.Mr Nowak said: “It’s a national scandal that so many low-paid, insecure workers up and down the country – most of them women – are forced to go without financial support when sick.“And for those who do get it, it’s not nearly enough to live on.“Ministers could have boosted sick pay and made sure everyone got it, but they chose to turn a blind eye to the problem during the pandemic.“The failure to provide proper financial support was an act of self-sabotage that left millions brutally exposed to the virus – especially those in low-paid, insecure work.Ms Walters added: “The UK’s statutory sick pay system is unequal, unfair and ripe for reform. By paying a higher weekly amount to every worker from day one, we’ll all see the benefits of a happy healthy workforce.”Deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner is in charge of delivering the party’s New Deal for Working People (PA)Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner told The Independent the pandemic “exposed just how precarious work is” for those on low incomes, forcing people to choose between their health and finances.She said: “It is simply unacceptable that the safety net of sick pay should not be available to those who need it most.”Labour has promised to raise statutory sick pay and make it available all workers, including the self-employed and those on low wages currently cut out by the lower earnings limit for eligibility.Mr Nowak said: “Enough is enough – it’s time for a new deal for workers, like Labour is proposing – which includes stronger sick pay and a ban on zero hours contracts.”A spokesman for the government said: “Statutory Sick Pay is part of a wider financial safety net, including Universal Credit and new style Employment and Support Allowance for those who need extra financial help.“Employers can also decide to pay occupational sick to those who do not meet the criteria for Statutory Sick Pay.” More

Tory rebel Robert Jenrick says he is prepared to vote against Rishi Sunak’s Rwanda billSign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailSir Keir Starmer has attacked Rishi Sunak’s “farcical” government in a brusing PMQs showdown, as the prime minister faces the biggest test of his premiership in a crunch Commons vote on his flagship Rwanda policy.A group of 60 right-wing Tory MPs, backed by Boris Johnson, threatened the PM’s plan by backing amendments aimed at toughening it up on Tuesday evening, with both Lee Anderson and Brendan Clarke-Smith quitting as deputy chairmen to vote with the rebels.If around 30 of the rebels carry out their threats to vote against Mr Sunak again on Wednesday night, the PM will be handed a humiliating defeat – potentially sparking yet another Tory leadership contest or a general election within weeks.One senior Sunak ally claimed to The Independent that the risk of an early election – with an almost certain Labour victory – will make the rebels will back off, allowing the PM and his battered administration to live to fight another day.Show latest update
1705501237Tory Rwanda rebels hold Sunak’s fate in their handsJane Dalton17 January 2024 14:201705503217UK departure from ECHR would be Brexit 2.0Campaigners have warned that Britain’s departure from the ECHR would amount to “Brexit 2.0” and further damage to the UK’s international reputation.The European Movement UK called on Rishi Sunak to commit to protecting Britain’s membership of the court, amid the push from right-wing rebels to ignore European judges and consider quitting the convention altogether.Sir Nick Harvey, chief executive of European Movement UK, said: “While the government’s Rwanda policy is concerning in itself, the possible departure of the UK from the ECHR would be utterly catastrophic. In terms of the impact it would have on our human rights and justice system, the departure would be an event on a scale akin to Brexit 2.0.”Adam Forrest17 January 2024 14:531705502917Rebels predicted to ‘melt like snowflakes’One MP who plans to vote against the government’s Rwanda Bill has predicted that Tory rebels will ‘melt like snowflakes on a deck’ when the crunch comes later.No 10 is quietly confident it will get the legislation though the Commons.A number 10 source said: “We don’t take any vote for granted but this is the toughest legislation ever brought before parliament to tackle illegal migration. It will make it clear that if you come here illegally you will not be able to stay.”Jane Dalton17 January 2024 14:481705502437No 10 says ‘guidance’ coming for civil servantsRishi Sunak’s official spokesman said there would be “additional guidance” for civil servants to give “clarity” on following ministers decisions in the application of the legislation, denying the code would be rewritten.The spokesman said the guidance will make clear civil servants can “continue to abide by the code” and “carry out the request of ministers” if they decide to ignore injunctions on Rwanda flights.Despite warnings from Robert Jenrick and others that the bill will not let ministers ignore injunctions from the European Court of Human Rights, the No 10 official insisted the bill “deliberately legislating to give ministers the power” to do so.Jane Dalton17 January 2024 14:401705500927I’m here to ensure policy works, insists JenrickRobert Jenrick told the Government he was “here to help” with his amendment aimed at safeguarding against Rule 39 orders.The Tory former immigration minister told MPs: “We have the power to fix this and we have the responsibility. So let’s use the opportunity we have today with the amendment that we have brought forward to resolve this.“Or else we will be here in two months’ time, the Strasbourg court will impose a Rule 39, the Government will be scrambling around how to resolve this, and the Government will have no-one else to blame.“I am here to help the Government to ensure this policy works, because I like everyone, at least on this side of the House, believes passionately that we have to make this policy work and to stop the boats.“So I strongly encourage the Prime Minister to support the amendment in my name, and that of many others, and encourage everyone else on all sides of this House who share my determination to fix this problem to do exactly the same.” More

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailWatch live as MPs debate the Safety of Rwanda Bill on Wednesday, 17 January, following Prime Minister’s Questions.It comes after Rishi Sunak minister faced the biggest Conservative revolt of his leadership yesterday, as some 60 Conservatives supported changes to the deportation legislation put forward by Tory veteran Sir Bill Cash.Right-wingers are pushing to ensure UK and international law cannot be used to prevent or delay a person being removed to Rwanda.Prominent figures in the Conservative party, such as Liz Truss, Suella Braverman, Sir Iain Duncan Smith, and Sir Simon Clarke, were among those to support the changes.Senior red wall MPs Lee Anderson and Brendan Clarke-Smith also resigned from their party positions to vote in favour of the amendments.Jane Stevenson quit her role as a parliamentary private secretary in the Department for Business and Trade to back the changes.Tonight will be the bill’s crucial third reading after no Conservatives voted against the Bill at its second reading, despite similar warnings from the right of the party. More

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailInflation rose unexpectedly in December in a blow to Rishi Sunak after the prime minister suggested the economy had “turned a corner”. Consumer Prices Index inflation rose to 4 per cent in December from 3.9 per cent in November, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said.Labour said the rise in inflation was “bad news for families who are worse off after fourteen years of economic failure”.Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves said: “Prices are still rising in the shops, with the average weekly shop £110 more than it was before the last general election, and the average family set to be £1,200 worse off under Rishi Sunak’s tax plan.”And the Liberal Democrats said the increase would worry people across the country “seeing their pay stretched as the cost of living crisis continues to rage on”.Treasury spokesman Sarah Olney said: “Let’s be clear, after years of mismanagement and mayhem, this Conservative Government must do far more to get our economy back on track.”But the chancellor insisted “the plan is working and we should stick to it”. Jeremy Hunt insisted the ‘plan is working’ despite the increase in inflation Jermy Hunt added: “As we have seen in the US, France and Germany, inflation does not fall in a straight line. “We took difficult decisions to control borrowing and are now turning a corner, so we need to stay the course we have set out, including boosting growth with more competitive tax levels.”Wednesday’s figure means inflation stands at double the Bank of England’s 2 per cent target for inflation. ONS chief economist Grant Fitzner said: “The rate of inflation ticked up a little in December, with rises in tobacco prices due to recently introduced duty increases.“These were partially offset by falling food inflation, where prices still rose but at a much lower rate than this time last year.“Meanwhile, the prices of goods leaving factories are little changed over the last few months while the costs of raw materials remain lower than a year ago.”He added that the inflation figure would have stayed flat at 3.9 per cent without the rises in tobacco prices. The rate at which prices are rising was expected to fall to 3.8 per cent in December, and the shock increase dampens the prospect of the Bank of England cutting interest rates. The central bank hiked interest rates from 0.25 per cent at the beginning of 2022 to 5.25 per cent in August in a bid to bring spiralling inflation under control. And positive economic data at the end of last year led to expectations interest rates could fall back to 4.25 per cent by the end of 2024. A dip in interest rates would be a boost to homeowners, who have been hit with huge increases in mortgage payments as a result of the Bank of England’s hikes. It comes after alcohol and tobacco inflation hit a high of more than 31 years last month, at 12.8 per cent, largely following the increased tobacco duty in November.This offset further falls in food prices, which fell back to 8 per cent last month – down from 9.2 per cent in November and the lowest rate since April 2022.There are also concerns over the impact of the Red Sea shipping attacks on inflation, as it threatens to push up the cost of oil, gas and goods being imported to the UK.The latest official figures show tobacco prices surged by 16 per cent year-on-year last month while alcohol inflation hit 9.6 per cent.Mr Hunt announced the hike in tax on tobacco in last November’s autumn statement, which came hot on the heels of a cigarette duty hike in April of last year.There was some relief for households as food prices eased back sharply once more, coming back down further from 45-year highs seen in 2023.The ONS said prices also fell at the fuel pumps, with the average price of petrol down by 8.2p a litre between November and December to stand at 142.8p.Diesel prices fell by 7.6p a litre this year to stand at 151.4p.The figures showed that air fares rose as usual between November and December, up by 57.1 per cent, compared with a 61.1 per cent rise a year ago.The annual rate for air fares was 0.8 per cent in December.The Trades Union Congress, which represents Britain’s major unions, said family budgets remain “under the cosh”.General secretary Paul Nowak said: “Prices are still going up with inflation at double the Bank of England’s target. And whether it’s covering the weekly shop or paying the bills, families remain under the cosh.“If real wages had grown at their pre-crisis trend the average worker would be earning around £15,000 a year more.” More

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inboxGet our free View from Westminster emailPeter Bone’s partner has said she is “proud” to have the former Tory MP on the campaign trail with her after he was booted out of parliament for sexually abusing a member of staff.Helen Harrison, who is standing in the by-election to replace Mr Bone, also said the panel which found him to have exposed himself to an aide and physically struck him had “got it wrong”.The local councillor, who has been in a relationship with Mr Bone for years, said she had seen “every single bit of evidence” in the case against the disgraced ex-MP.“I think the panel got it wrong,” she told the BBC.Former Tory MP Peter Bone was ousted by voters through a recall petition (Kirsty O’Connor/PA)It came after Mr Bone was spotted on the campaign trail in Wellingborough, where the Conservatives had a chunky 18,540 majority at the 2019 election.Pollsters have warned that the party’s decision to pick Ms Harrison could add to the partyTories’ woes, with Labour hoping to overturn the majority.But, hitting back after he was spotted knocking doors for Ms Harrison, she said: “I’m proud to have him as part of my campaign.”She denied voters are not talking about Mr Bone’s behaviour.”People are not raising that issue with me,” she said.”They’re talking to me about the small boats; they’re talking about potholes; they’re talking about their health services [and] getting more police on the beat – those issues that people are going to be voting on in this by-election.”In October, Mr Bone was found to have indecently exposed himself to a staff member and trapped him in the bathroom of a hotel room.The parliamentary commissioner for standards upheld five allegations of bullying and one of sexual misconduct against the former Wellingborough and Rushden MP.Mr Bone, one of the most outspoken pro-Brexit Conservative MPs, was found to have engaged in “violence, shouting and swearing, mocking, belittling and humiliating behaviour, and ostracism”.Shadow paymaster general Jonathan Ashworth in Wellingborough with his party’s candidate, Gen KitchenHe was suspended from parliament and then lost his seat after constituents backed removing him via a recall petition.Ms Harrison was selected as the party’s candidate for the seat after Mr Bone reportedly threatened to run as an independent in the by-election – risking a split in the Tory vote – unless she was chosen.At the time, Jonathan Ashworth, Labour’s shadow paymaster general, said: “Rishi Sunak caving to Peter Bone’s demand to select his partner so he doesn’t run as an independent shows just how weak the Prime Minister is.“Rishi Sunak is too weak to lead his own party, let alone the country. The people of Wellingborough deserve the best possible candidate to represent them, not the product of a quick political fix.” More